Annual reports

Message from the Director General

In 2014, we
completed several major IT system projects and launched new online services. We
adopted a new processing system in issues relating to the Trade Register and
enterprise mortgages, enabling paperless processing, automated solutions, and
shorter processing times. We also introduced a new processing system in
trademarks.

In
co-operation with the Finnish Tax Administration, we opened a service for
limited liability companies and housing companies where changes in members of
boards of directors can be notified online. We also launched an open data service
where details of limited liability companies and co-operatives stored in the
Finnish Business Information System (BIS) as well as data stored in our
information service on published entries are available for public use via a new
interface.

Important changes
took place in foundation matters too. The Finnish Act on Supervision Fees for
Foundations entered into force right at the beginning of the year. The
supervision fee will allow us to develop and enhance the supervision of foundations.
The revenue from fees will also enable us to cover the costs incurred from the
supervision.

A number of
changes took place in our operations during the year. An industrial property
attorney board began operating in conjunction with our office. The board organises
examinations for attorneys and grants authorisation, and we maintain a register
of authorised industrial property attorneys.

We also
restructured our organisation in such a way that association and foundation
affairs merged with our Enterprises and Corporations Line at the beginning of
2015. Employee co-operation negotiations relating to the restructuring were conducted
in autumn. The negotiations affected approximately 120 employees and resulted
in the reduction of 26 jobs and the dismissal of nine employees. The main
reason for the reduction in jobs was the new online access and processing systems
automating our manual processes.

In
collaboration with the Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy and the
local register offices we prepared a transfer of tasks from local authorities
to our office – all notifications to the Trade Register or to the Register of
Associations will be processed at the PRH from 1 September 2015.

Finland’s
economic situation was reflected in our operations. The number of applications
and registrations decreased in the Trade Register and in patents and trademarks.
The number of notices and notifications in association and foundation related
issues remained unchanged.

The
processing time for Trade Register notifications fell short of the target
mainly because it was not possible to register notifications in connection with
the introduction of the new processing system in May. The processing time for
national patent applications also fell short of the target. The reason for this
was the completion of applications and decisions that had undergone a long
processing. Processing times in association-related issues, however, have been
significantly shorted. Likewise, the time taken to issue the first patent
office action has shortened, which clients had desired.

In spite of
the challenges in the environment, the clients have rated our work and services
as good. Similarly, the staff has been satisfied with their work, workplace
atmosphere and the PRH as an employer.